I Blame Joe

April 30, 2017

Photo: John Munson/The Star-Ledger

I was so hoping to post the image of a broom in this edition of the blog. After the first two rousing games in the home series against the O’s during which I began to think this Yankees team would never lose (unrealistic, but they were that inspiring), today’s finale was a major letdown for me – especially since the boys pulled off yet another miracle and tied up the game in the ninth.

But my cheers turned to sighs as I watched Girardi do what he often does: over-manage. Forget the binders for once. Stop babying pitchers. Chapman’s a big, strapping guy who isn’t made of glass. He could have hung around and pitched another inning. There was no need for Mitchell to play first and then pitch, as entertaining as it was to watch Mitchell field the ball. There was no need to fiddle with the lineup, taking out Matt Holliday, the hero of Game 1. Would the Yankees have won the game if Girardi hadn’t tinkered? Who knows, but sometimes it’s okay to leave well enough alone.

Let me be clear. I have nothing to complain about. The Yanks finished the week with a piece of first place and they’ve played great. It’s just that once I get a taste of winning, it’s hard to lose a game in extras that we could have/should have won.

But onto the next series. The Blue Jays are always a handful. I hope the Baby Bombers can rise to the occasion.

Comments

I posted a comment before but it never appeared so excuse me if this is a repeat, Jane.

I agree with you about the frustrating way the extra innings were handled. Why was Adam Warren left in the bull pen? He is capable of pitching several innings, heck, he wishes he was a starter. And taking our Holliday, who has been hot as heck, and pinch hitting Greg Bird, who has been anything but – huh? Not the time for ego stroking, imo.

I know we can’t win every game but the ones that get to me are the ones we had every opportunity to win and did not. Yesterday’s was such a game.

My sentiments exactly, Audrey. Warren was being “saved” because he’d thrown a lot during the series, but again, these pitchers aren’t made of glass. Chapman was my case in point. He could easily have gone two innings, having had a quick first one. And taking Holliday out of the lineup? Pure foolishness. Sigh.

I can’t fault Girardi on this one. I think he did the best he could with what he had been given. If it works he looks like a genius. It didn’t so it is easy to criticize. To be fair, if the Yankees had capitalized on their chance in the 10th, it wouldn’t have mattered. I would rather lose a game in April, then have Adam Warren’s arm fall off in September when we are in the heat of a pennant race.

That was a crazy game though huh? Between that balk or whatever and the Mitchell thing this one may go down as the strangest one I’ve ever seen.

It was a strange game, that’s for sure, Darren. The Yankees did leave many runners on base and had their chances. But I still think Chapman could have gone another inning, which would have enabled Holliday to stay in the game and leave Mitchell for another day. I don’t want any pitcher to be the new Scott Proctor and have his arm fall off though. Lol

Glad your blog is back, Jane. The team has been really exciting of late – the young ones really seem to be making a difference. Friday’s game was incredible – previous teams in the last few years would NEVER have come back like that. Yes, I’m sorry they lost yesterday when they tied it up on the 9th but at least they are now tied for first place in the AL east. I’ll be checking your blog much more often now that I know you’re back. But in case I don’t come back tomorrow….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I blame the offense for the loss more. They had opportunities and stranded over a dozen base runners. Girardi did over manage but I can appreciate that he ensures that the bullpen stays as fresh as possible. We can always have a worse manager than Girardi like Collins on the other side of NY. The poor Mets are such a mess.